Sulfasalazine (Azulfadine | Salazopyrin)

Azulfidine or Salazopyrin (Sulfasalazine) is a Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) that is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and many other types of arthritis.

Sulfasalazine may also be used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Sulfasalazine is an old medicine that was first developed in the 1950s. It is a combination of a salicylate (a chemical like Aspirin) and a sulfa antibiotic.

Taking Sulfasalazine

Sulfasalazine is available in oral tablets.

When Sulfasalazine works most patients start to feel improvement after 6-8 weeks. The maximum effect can take 6-12 months.

Doctors will determine if Sulfasalazine is working after 3 months. If it isn’t working at all after 3 months then it is usually stopped.

Important Tests and Risks

Science

Safety

Video

Watch rheumatologist Dr. Andy Thompson introduce Sulfasalazine in a short 1.5-minute video:

Resources

Azulfadine | Salazopyrin Quick Reference Guide